Arch support



March 31, 1953 w. MDscHoLl. 2,633,130

' ARCH SUPPORT Filed Nov. l0, 1950 Wil/15am M. 5c/11022;.

Patented Mar. 31, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFtcE ARCH SUPPORT Wiuiain M. schon, chicago, 1u.

Application November 10, 1950, Serial No. 195,063

This invention relates to improvements in an arch support, and more particularly to a light weight arch support. to be directly carried bythe human foot, rather than be inserted in an article of footwear, and more particularly to an arch vsupport designed to lend corrective supporting aid to the inner longitudinal arch of the human 'footy although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various types of longii 3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-166.5)

the gentle support desirable in a case of mild arch l.

disorder or mild arch weakness, and in most cases they could not be4 associated as intimately with the foot of the user as may be desired.

With the above thoughts in mind, it is an imfor relief of tired, aching, orburning feet when the trouble is due to a relativelyv minor or mild weakness of the inner longitudinalV arch of the foot.

. It is also an object of this invention to provide a device of the character setfo'rth herein which may be attached directly to the foot of a user,

either inside or outside the hosiery, and thus eliminate the need of changing arch supports when changing shoes and also providing the same corrective aid `when the user changes from shoes worn during the daytime to comfortable soft slippers in the evening.

Also an object of this invention is the provision of a device for lending corrective support to the inner longitudinal arch of the human foot, which device embodies a cushioning element of angular shape to intimately fit against the plantar and side surfaces of the inner longitudinal arch, with means for holding the cushioning element in intimate contact with the foot of the user.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a device for ylending corrective support to the inner longitudinal arch of the human foot, embodying a cushioning element, and means for holding the cushioning element in inti mate contact with the foot, such means also firmly but gentlyY holding adjacent muscles and bones of the foot in normal position.

Itis still a further object. of the invention to provide a support for the inner longitudinal arch of the human foot, embodying amolded foam latex cushioning element of angular shape, to flt the lateral curvature of :theinner longitudinal arch, such foam latex element beingcovered with soft fabric to preventanypossibility of objectionable friction. L

It is a still further object of this inventionV to provide an arch supporting element for the inner longitudinal arch ofthe foot,.embodying a supporting member which is held in intimate contact with the foot bythe aidof an elastic band encircling the foot. l f l i V.

While some of the more salient features, chartion have been-above pointedout, others will be- -come apparent from the following disclosures,

taken in conjunctionv with the accompanying drawing, in which` Figure 1 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a human foot equipped with a .longitudinal arch supporting device embodying principles ofthe instant invention, the figure showing in the main the plantar surface of the :foot and the bottom of the arch supporting device; and y,

.. Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged transverse sectional view `through the device itself `taken substantially as indicated by the line II--II of Fig. l,

lookingin the direction of the arrows. Y

As shown on the drawings:

At the outset, it should be understood that while .the instant invention is illustrated in association with a right foot, the same device, by a mere reversal of the ends may be equally as well utilizedY for a left foot. It is not necessary to make separate supports for left and right feet, since the one support is so uniform in character that it may be utilized on either foot.

In the normal human foot, the plantar surface in the region of the inner longitudinal arch is elevated, and curves upwardly transversely of the foot to the side of the longitudinal arch. The instant device is made to t that curvature of the foot.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a human foot, generally indicated by numeral l is shown in such position that the plantar surface 2 and the side surface of the inner longitudinal arch 3 is visible. A preferred form of the instant invention is shown attached to that foot in operative position, the supporting device including a cushioning element 4 and an elastic band 5 circumscrihing or encircling the foot as well as the cushioning element 4 to hold the cushioning element in intimate association `with the foot.

with the normal curvature of the arch. Oi.

course, the cushioning element 4 is therefore thicker in the region of the apex of the vangle than elsewhere as clearly seen in Fig, 2.

Preferably, the cushioning element `4 'ismade of molded foam latex, a cellular-rubber very light in weight, highly resilient, and arnaterial that maintains its resiliency and restorative powers indefinitely. This particular material will not t'enol'to vulcanize and become compacted due to pressure `and body heat as did the formerly known ysponge rubber. Further, inview .of the fact that the cells infoam latex are intercommunicative, the `cushioning element will provide a ventilative action `or create'a circulation of air during the continued and repeated pressure and release occurring when the user is walking. While other material "might be 'satisfactory to a reasonable extent, Ano other material now` known will provide all of the Yaclvantages above vset forth.

' In order to eliminate lany objectionable 'fr-iction of either the foot or an article of hosiery with the. top surface ofthe cushioningelement '6, 'this .surface is :preferably coveredby a soft fabric .`su'ch as 'Jai suitable moleslsirr or'flannel .which may vbe'adhesiyely or otherwise secured tothe cushioning element.

As seen best in Fig. 2, the covering extends cushioning element 4, and freely engagesover the foot, thus permitting anyv needed slight -acl- 'iustment to increase thev users comfort by fitting :thef device properly and intimately to the foot. f eFroin the foregoing, itis apparent that I have provided a longitudinal arch supporting device that is simple in construction, intimately tting, economical to manufacture, and extremely long lived. It will also be noted that the device may be used for either foot, and may be worn in intimate contact with the foot at all times so that if desired the device may be retained upon the foot during sleep or at 'other times when articles of footwear are not worn.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presi ent invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In" an arch support, a cushioning element cfg-Cellular rubber off angular shape to intimately fit the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, a soft fabric covering secured to said element, and an endless elastic band secured to one side edge lonly of said cover to freelycircumscribe both said element and the foot of a user.

' '2. In an 'arch support, a 'cushioning element of cellular rubber of angular shape to intimately ht' the inner longitudinal arch 'of the foot, a scft fabric covering secured over and to the upper surface of said element. and extending therebeyond in all directions, an; endlessv elastic band secured. to the vextension of 'said cover at one side only thereof and otherwise freely circum- 'scribing said; element' and the foot of the user, the under-surface of-said element being exposed on each sidev of 'said'.band.'

3. 1x1-.an arch supportand binding. for the -tarsal region 'of the foot,1 'a molded, foam latex 'elementofangular shape'to underlie and extend up the4 side of the high portionvofi the inner 'longitudinal archofthe foot, a soft Vcover over a face of said element. to be ccntactedby the foot, the otherface of said-element being exposed, and a. resilientA band connected to said Acover in positi'onvtoi freely encircle said element `and the foot of the user.

' lVILLIAlV M. SCROLL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of: patent:A

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,685,155. Emeott i-; Sept. 25, 1928 I,'703,895 Noble Mar. 5, 1929 2,358,966 Einstcss i Sept. 26, 1944 

